What Is Marketing, and Is It a Good Career Option?
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Marketing relates to actions taken by companies to increase sales and promote products or services. It is essential to mention that there are many sub-facets of marketing and various careers within those areas as we define marketing. The marketing field is continuing to gain popularity amongst job seekers and is an excellent career option for people with the right skills.
Marketing is a term that we constantly hear, yet many don’t know precisely what it means. When someone hears “marketing,” they may think of a television commercial or an ad they spotted on a Google search results page.?
The reason that it is so hard to define marketing is that it has multiple layers. A marketing campaign doesn’t start and end with an advertisement or a post on social media.
Many marketers are involved in creating and monitoring a marketing effort. Some of the most effective marketing strategies today happen without people noticing them, and this is all thanks to the marketers working behind the scenes.?
Because marketing is such a prevalent industry today, many want to join the field. The good news is that there are plenty of opportunities available in marketing related to different skills, interests and levels of expertise.?
Learn about marketing and the various career options available below.
Marketing Defined
Marketing is any process related to promoting or selling products and services. This would include:
Marketing is a very broad field, so many different roles are available to professionals seeking employment in the industry.?
The overall goal of marketing is to gain the attention and interest of target audiences. Marketers accomplish this in a variety of ways, including:
Marketing vs. Advertising
?Marketing helps brands show consumers how a product or service will meet their needs.?
Advertising is promoting the brand, products and services so that consumers gain exposure and want to make a purchase. When advertising, companies will pay to have a message or brand placed in a specific location.?
Advertising is a component of a marketing strategy, but not all marketing efforts specifically relate to advertising.
How Has Marketing Evolved in Recent Years?
?One of the only constants in marketing is that it is always changing.?
Since modernized marketing strategies started in the 1950s, companies have been working toward figuring out how to do things better than competitors and appeal to wider audiences. Marketing became more about understanding and engaging consumers with products or services than directly selling to them.
In more recent years, marketing has become reliant on technology. Smartphones are widespread, social media use is on the rise and the internet of things (IoT) continues to grow. Consumers are more knowledgeable today and can search for any product or service they want on search engines.?
The fundamental changes that have occurred in recent years include:
The Rise of Digital Marketing
Digital marketing refers to all marketing efforts that happen online. This encompasses many marketing strategies, including social media marketing, search engine optimization and display advertising.?
Brad Batesole, partner at Madecraft and marketing author at LinkedIn, emphasizes in his Digital Marketing Foundations LinkedIn Learning course that today’s digital marketing tools and techniques are constantly evolving. He further explains that because of this, it is more critical than ever to understand this field and be able to “cut through the noise,” to engage potential customers and grow business.
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Many people worldwide use the internet today, so digital marketing has become a common part of marketing campaigns due to its potential reach. Additionally, digital marketing efforts tend to cost less than traditional marketing methods, which leads to more flexibility and expansion.
Using data, marketing professionals can track and analyze how campaigns are performing. Market research into online consumer behaviors (and desires) helps create strong digital marketing strategies.
Careers in Marketing
?Marketing has many sub-facets, such as public relations, sales and content, so there are various career options within those areas to explore.?
Advertising careers include:
Content careers include:
Market research careers include:
Sales careers include:
Public relations careers include:
There are other areas of marketing as well, such as brand marketing or eCommerce, which include more possible titles and opportunities. Depending on your interests and talents, several possible career options are open in the vast marketing field.
Is Marketing a Good Career Option for You?
?Having the right skills and aptitudes to succeed in marketing is essential, as it isn’t the perfect field for everyone. Some of those include:
Anyone serious about a career in marketing would benefit from a bachelor’s degree. Degrees in marketing, business, psychology and other related fields are beneficial to helping a new professional excel quickly.?
Learning from those already in the field can help you gain insight into this career path. As Austin Belcak, the founder of Cultivated Culture, says, “Find people who have come from a similar starting point and seen success. Connect with them and prioritize their advice.” Asking questions and obtaining guidance can assist you in making the right choice for your professional career.?
Additionally, completing internships is an excellent way to gain real-life experience before joining the marketing industry. You’ll learn many skills required for success and gain exposure to marketers' daily processes and tools.
Top Takeaways
What is marketing, and is it a good career option?
(Reporting by NPD and Helen Harris)
Goodreads Verified Author and Book Editor / Technical Writer & Editor / I believe in the power of tech for social good.
2 年Yes it is ??